Machine for operating upon heddles



NOV. 30, 1954 R, BORCHARDT 2,695,439

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON HEDDLES Filed Aug. 27, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l "E 2 E 25ml;

INVENTOR. Robert E Borchar'dt ATTORNEYS 1954 R. E. BORCHARDT 2,695,439

MACHINE FOR OPERATING UPON HEDDLES Filed Aug. 2'7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEYS MACHHIE FOR OPERATHJG UPON HEDDLES Robert E. Borchardt, Rockford, Ill., assignor to Barber- Colman Company, Rockford, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 27, 1952, Serial No. 306,700

9 Claims. (Cl. 28-4-6) The invention pertains to a machine for operating upon steel heddles such as are used in loom harnesses. Steel heddles are commonly provided with centrally disposed apertures for the passage of a release key shaft, these apertures being in the form of key-hole slots for co-action with a key element in the shaft in efiecting the successive release of the heddles in a Warp drawing-in machine. The heddles as supplied by the manufacturer are intended to be so arranged that the slots of adjacent heddles extend in diametrically opposite directions with respect to the release key shaft so that in successive half-revolutions of the shaft the heddles are released onevby one. It frequently happens, however, that one or more heddles thus supplied are improperly positioned in the stack so that the release key instead of releasing one heddle at a time releases two or more heddles.

More particularly stated, the invention pertains to a machine of the type disclosed in Drake Patent No. 2,457,- 649 dated December 28, 1948, for operating upon a stack of heddles slidably supported in a heddle frame to determine whether or not the heddles in the stack are properly arranged with the slots of adjacent heddles oppositely disposed. The present inventiontherefore constitutes an improvement upon the machine of the said Drake patent, and its general aim is to provide a more effectual means for detecting improperly arranged heddles under all conditions encountered in use. i

In addition to its function in detecting the improper arrangement of the heddles in a stack the machine of said Drake patent performed the additional function of counting the heddles. It was, however, ineffective to interrupt the operation of the counter when all of the heddles of the stack had been released. Accordingly it is one object of the present invention to provide an improved feeler mechanism which is capable not only of detecting improperly positioned heddles but of interrupting the operation of the machine and therefore of the counter upon the release of all of the heddles in the stack.

.A further object is to provide an improved mechanism for detecting the release of a number of heddles sufficiently large as to interfere with the proper function of r the feeler mechanism.

The objects of the invention thus generally set forth, together with other and ancillary advantages are obtained by the construction and arrangement shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings by which: i

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine. embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view with a portion of the cover for the driving motor broken away.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the improved feeler mechanism.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are transverse sectional views respectively showing the position of the feeler means under various conditions encountered in use.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a group of properly arranged heddles.

The present illustrative embodiment of the invention is a machine for operating upon warps, for convenience termed a heddle counter, the general construction and arrangement being the same as that disclosed in the aforesaid Drake patent. Briefly, it consists of an upright frame 8 upon which a heddle frame 9 is adapted to be supported through the medium of pins 10 at opposite ends of a cross-bar 11. At the upper end of the frame is a supporting plate 12 carrying a drive mechanism for a release key shaft 15. The heddle frame 9 carries a stack or pack States Patent 0 ICE of heddles 16 slidably supported at their opposite ends and provided with central apertures or keyhole slots 17 (Fig. 3). As shown in Fig. 7 the slots of adjacent heddles when properly arranged are staggered with respect to each other so that the narrow portions thereof project in opposite directions. The release key shaft 15 passes through the aligned slots in the stack of heddles and at its lower end is provided with a spiral element or key 18 operative in a well-known manner to release the heddles one at a time in the rotation of the shaft, the arrangement being thus that in each half-revolution of the shaft a heddle is released. 19 designates a hacker also slidably supported in the heddle frame and serving to press the heddles downwardly against the key.

The drive mechanism for the machine comprises an electric motor 20 for driving the release key shaft 15as well as a counter generally designated 23, and this motor also supplies power for driving the feeler mechanism as will hereinafter appear. The heddles are released singly at spaced intervals provided that the heddles are properly arranged in the stack, that is with the narrow portions of the slots 17 of adjacent heddles oppositely disposed.

The feeler mechanism is mounted on the upright frame 8 on a plate having a depending flange 26 secured to a crossbar 27 of the frame 8. The plate 25' is positioned immediately below the release key on the shaft 15 and mounted on the plate is a slide 28 arranged for reciprocation in a front to rear direction in timed relation to the operation of the release key so as to intercept the heddles upon release of the key and provide a temporary support therefor while operated upon by a sensitive feeler means generally designated 29 mounted on the slide.

In accordance with the present invention the feeler means 29 is responsive to the presence on the slide of more than one heddle or of no heddles to interrupt the operation of the machine, the presence of one heddle only being normal so that the feeler means permits continued operation of the machine so long as: that condition prevails. In general interruption of the operation is accomplished by opening the motor circuit through the operation of a normally closed switch 30 by means of an actuator herein in the form of a bell crank 31, the

feeler means 29 including a control element selectively positioned according to the number of heddles present on the slide to control the operation of the switch actuating bell crank 31. The arrangement is such that the control element is responsive to the presence on the slide 28 of more or less than one heddle to establish a connection between the slide and the actuator or hell crank 31 to open the motor circuit. Thus the operation of the ma- .chine is interrupted when more than one heddle is released, when no heddle is released, or when a relatively large number of heddles are released in a number sufliciently large to tend to block the feeler.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the slide 28 is suitably mounted on the plate 25 for reciprocation transversely of the frame 8. As in the Drake patent aforesaid reciprocation of the slide is effected by means of a face cam 32 fast on the lower end of a shaft 33 operatively connected at its upper end with the drive mechanism of the machine. Cam 32 is grooved for the reception of a roller 34 mounted on an arm 35 pivoted at 36 to the plate 25. The free end of the arm has a pin and slot connection 37 with the slide, the arrangement being such that immediately prior to the release of the heddle by the key 18 the slide is actuated so as to position the forward portion thereof beneath the heddle to intercept the same temporarily for the performance of the feeling function.

The feeler means 29 comprises in the present embodiment a member 38 pivoted on the slide for reciprocation therewith and having at its forward end a roller 39 for engagement with the heddles resting upon the slide when projected forwardly by the cam 32. Spring 38a tends to hold the roller 39 against the slide, and movements of the member 38 against the spring are utilized to control the position of a connector element herein constituting a rearward extension of the member 38 and forming therewith an elongated feeler bar pivoted intermediate its ends. In normal operation, with the heddles deposited singly upon the slide, the feeler roller 39 is elevated sufi'iciently in the advance of the slide to raise the forward end portionof the feeler bar upwardly and correspondingly lower the rear end. This may be referred to for convenience as the neutral position of the feeler.

At its rear end; the feeler bar carries; a crosshead 40 for co-action with, the bell crank 31 for the purpose of establishing a connection therewith to interrupt the operation of the machine through, the opening of switch 30 whenever thefeeler is deflected from its neutral position. In the present instance such connection between the feeler bar and the bell crank is accomplished through the provision of an open ended slot 41 in one arm 42. of the bell crank, through which slot the rear end portion of the feeler' bar passes. The relative dimensions of the slot and crosshead are such that in the neutral position of the feeler the head 40 is free, to pass through the slot without. actuating the bell crank, but when shifted in either direction out of such neutral position the head engages with the arm 42. Under such conditions therefore a lost motion connection is established to actuate the bell crank and thereby the switch 30.

The position of the feeler in response to the presence of two heddles on the slide is shown in Fig. 4. In this instance the rear end of the feeler is deflected downwardly from neutral position with the crosshead positioned for engagement with the bell crank. In Fig. 5,, on the other hand, the crosshead occupies. an upwardly offset position from neutral in response to the absence of any heddle upon the slide as may occur upon exhaustion of the stack of heddles.

To provide for the contingency that the number of heddles released may be sufficiently large tortend' to block the feeler roller 39, the pivotal mounting for the feeler is made yieldable inan upward direction to insure elevation of the crosshead into co-acting relation to the bell crank (Fig. 6) even though the roller 39 may be partially raised from the slide due to a tendency to ride over the heddles. To provide such yieldable mounting of the pivot for the feeler bar, a pair of angular bearing members 43 pivotally supporting the feeler bar are in turn pivoted at 44 on blocks 45 carried. by the slide. These members are held by springs 4-6 in a normal position relative to the blocks as determined by a stop screw 47 carried by one of the bearing members and engageable with the slide (Fig. Upon engagement of a group of heddles by the roller 39 as seen in Fig. 6, the pivotal axis of the feeler bar is permitted to yield upwardly so as to carry the rear end of the bar and therefore the crosshead 40 upwardly from its neutral position for co-action with the bell crank 31. Since underthis. condition the roller does not ride upwardly over the heddles, the heddle frame is swung outwardly by abutment of the roller with the group of heddles as is permitted by the suspension of the heddle frame from the pins 1 0.

It is to be observed that the mounting for the feeler bar, in addition to providing for an upward shifting movement of the pivot when a group of improperly positioned heddles is encountered, as shown in Fig. 6, this mounting also provides for an adjustment of the normal position of the pivot to compensate for heddles of different thicknesses. Thus by adjustment of the stop screw 47 it is possible to change the position of the rear end portion of the feeler bar to carry the crosshead. into neutral position as may be necessitated by changes in heddle thickness.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine for operating upon a pack of heddles, the combination of motor driven means normally operative to release heddles from the pack one by one including a reciprocatory slide operative to intercept and temporarily support the heddles upon their release, a control device for said motor driven means, an actuator for said control device, and meansresponsive to the presence on the support of more or less than a singleheddle to establish a connection between said: slide and said actuator.

2. In a machine for operating upon a pack of heddles, the combination of motor driven means normally operative to release heddles from the pack one by one including; areciprocatory slide operative to intercept and temporarily support the heddles upon their release, a control device for said motor driven means, an actuator for said. control device, a feeler element mounted on said 'sideand operable to detect the presence ofone or more heddles on the slide, and means responsive to the movement of said feeler element when more or less than a single heddle is present on the slide to establish a connection between the slide and said actuator.

3. In a machine for operating upon a pack of heddles, the combination of motor driven means normally operative to release heddles from the pack one by one including a reciprocatory slide operative to intercept and temporarily support the heddles upon their release, a control device for said motor driven means, an actuator for said control device, a feeler element pivotally mounted on the slide for reciprocation therewith and movable in response to the presence of one or more heddles on the slide, and a connector element selectively positioned by saidfeeler element and operative upon movement of the feeler element in response to the presence of more or less than one heddle to establish a connection between the slide and said actuator.

4. In a machine for operating upon a pack of heddles, the combination of motor driven means normally operative to release heddles from the pack one by one, including areciprocatory' slide operative to intercept and tern: porarily support the; heddles upon their release, a control device for said motor driven means, an actuator for said control device, a tracker bar pivoted intermediate its ends on said slide and having means at its forward end for; engagement with. heddles deposited on the slide and means at the rear end of' saidfeeler bar operatively associated with said actuator to establish a connection therewith upon the delivery to the slide of more or less than a single heddle.

5-. In a machine for operating upon a pack of heddles, the combination of motor driven means normally operative to release heddles from the pack one by one including a reciprocatory slide operative to intercept and temporarily support the heddles.- upon their release, a. control device for said motor driven means, an actuator for said control device comprising a pivoted arm having a slot therein, a feeler bar pivoted intermediate its ends on said slide, the forward end of said bar being movable in response to the presence or absence of heddles on the slide and. the. rear end of said feeler bar passing through said slot and. having a head thereon normally positioned for passage through the slot when a single heddle is deposited; on the slide and being engageable with the arm to move it when the head is moved from its normal position in one direction: in response tothe presence on the slide of more than one heddle or in the opposite dliiiection in response to the absence of any heddle on the s 1. e.

6. In a machine for operating upon a pack of heddles, the combination of motor driven means normally operative to release heddles from the pack one by one including a reciprocatory slide operative to intercept and temporarily support the heddles upon their release, a control device for said motor driven means, an actuator, for said control device, feeler means on said slide responsive to the presence or absence of heddles thereon to control the operation of said actuator including a feeler bar havinga pivotal mounting on the slide, said feeler bar being movable in response to the presence of a single heddle on the slide into a position for movement by the slide independently of said actuator, said pivotal mounting for the feeler bar being yieldable in response to the presenceon the slide of a group. of heddles so as to establish an operative connection between the feeler bar and said actuator.

7. In a machine for operating upon a pack of'heddles, the combination of motor driven means normally operative to release heddles from the pack one by one including a reciprocatory slide operative to intercept and temporarily' support the heddles upon their release, a control device for said motor driven means, an actuator for said control device, a feeler bar having a pivotal mounting' intermediate its ends on said slide, the forward end of the bar being engageable with heddles on the slide to impart a swinging motion to the bar, said actuator being .operatively associated with the rear end of the feeler bar for actuation by the bar when the feeler is moved in response to the presence on the bar of more or less than a single heddle, and said pivotal mounting being yieldable in response to the presence on the slide of a group ofheddles to shift the feelerbar into operative engagement with said actuator.

8. In a machine for" operating upon apack of heddles, the combination of motor driven means normally operative to release heddles from the pack one by one including a reciprocatory slide operative to intercept and temporarily support the heddles upon their release, a control device for said motor driven means, an actuator for said control device, a feeler bar mounted on said slide and movable according to the number of heddles present on the slide into and out of operative relation to said actuator, said bar having a pivotal support on the slide adjustable to compensate for heddles of difierent thicknesses.

9. In a machine for operating upon a pack of heddles, the combination of motor driven means normally opera- 6 tive to release heddles from the pack one by one, and means for interrupting the operation of said motor means in response to the simultaneous release of more or less than a single heddle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Drake Dec. 28, 1948 

